Grubbs fares well in return

Ben Grubbs doesn’t score touchdowns or record interceptions, but the left guard provided a lift with his return to the Ravens' starting lineup in the team’s 23-20 victory over the Pittsburgh Steelers Sunday night.

Grubbs bolstered the offensive line as he reassumed his role as the starter. Andre Gurode had made five consecutive starts for Grubbs after straining ligaments in a toe on his right foot in the team’s season-opening rout of Pittsburgh on Sept. 11.

“So far, so good as far as that. No negative report on the toe,” coach John Harbaugh said of Grubbs during his weekly news conference Monday. “And I think he played well. It looks like he was very solid, and you’d like to think he’s only going to improve as he gets healthier and healthier and gets kind of back into game shape. ”

After the game, Grubbs appeared pained by the toe, which severely impeded his ability to push off with it.“It will be all right,” he said. “With the pain shots that I took, I was able to make it through the game.”Grubbs was flagged once for moving early, but he solidifies an offensive line that had experienced difficulty in pass protection in a loss to the Jacksonville Jaguars on Oct. 24 and a close win against the Arizona Cardinals on Oct. 30.

“That's a lot of responsibility to put on one person,” Grubbs joked when reporters tried to credit him with the improved pass protection. “It's a team win. But hey, I guess I am 2-0 this season.”

Right tackle Michael Oher said the unit welcomed back Grubbs. “Obviously, Ben is a proven player,” Oher said. “We’ve been missing him, and to have him back is always good.”